Free PCB software

icepuck

Which free pcb software thats available is compatible with the parts from parallax?
I'm just getting started so I have no clue what to look for.
-dan

Leon

It's best to try various programs and find one that suits you. Creating new parts shouldn't be difficult if the ones you want aren't available, and is something you will need to do eventually.

Leon

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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle

Philldapill

I HIGHLY recommend EAGLE. It has a decent learning curve, but is a very powerful and widely accepted program.

mctrivia

I second eagle the parts have been made and can be downloaded at cadsoft.de

Warning qfn pack is wrong. There is no stopmask on ground pad and not connected to vss

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propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

Want to make projects and have Gadget Gangster sell them for you? propmod-us_ps_sd and propmod-1x1 are now available for use in your Gadget Gangster Projects.

Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.

icepuck

I've picked pcb123 to try from a goolge search and started experimenting. I managed to make a bs2 with their library editor. Then I managed to make a board layout with the bs2 and a 7805 regulator, then that's when I noticed their price estimate for my design. A $120 price for two 3"x5" boards with just two parts! That's a little pricey for two RoHS boards. Now I see where these "free" programs make their money.
-dan


I just found this www.cadsoftusa.com/freeware.htm is this the same Eagle program?

Post Edited (icepuck) : 7/14/2009 10:54:20 PM GMT

hmlittle59

I like DipTrace.com software. Three(3) boards from China $84.00, Green with white silk screen(smt , 62 components, 240 pins, 4 x 3) looked/worked great. Ten days to get back, same boards(5) from US company $132.00/ 8 days to get back. I can use any Board House I want to have the Boards made. BIG PLUS in the long run. Software is VERY VERY easy to learn, never did do a schematic though, straight to PCB when I up-graded from ExpressPCB.com software. Bad move but to late now. ExpressPCB.com was a good place to start for me. But their software locks you into their OWN board house. This makes everything quick and easy for beginners but can be limiting in the long run to your growth in board design. Some complicated boards can be made with this software as by there own examples shown. DipTrace.com's FREE version can only do up to 250 pins/leads, I'm almost there. I've tried PCB123, Eagle and a couple more but they were beyond me. ExpressPCB has a 5th grade learning curve(but is limited) and DipTrace is about an 8th grade(UN-limited) growth, just what I needed at the time. ExpressPCB seems to be locked in an happy with what they've got and had told me before that they were not going to up-grade their Software, but about a month ago I got an email saying they would up-grade there BOARDS made by them but nothing about the software(I just went back an ck the email and no software upgrade). DipTrace.com is always improving and has a forum set up through Yahoo. I don't like the Forum format but they do answer your request very quickly. This Forum (Parallax) is by far a better layout and structure. If they could switch to a Forum like this, Add more components(you can build your own) in the library, and Add BOM to PCB layout, that would make me even more happier.

hope this helps

Edited 7-15-09....Wrote this late last night and did not preview...SORRRY.

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I'M STILL LEARNING SO MUCH...BUT STILL KNOW SO LITTLE!!!

hmlittle59

Post Edited (hmlittle59) : 7/16/2009 1:37:45 AM GMT

icepuck

I just installed diptrace and started placing parts within a few minutes, time to do some reading. I think this one may be worth starting with.
-dan

Greg LaPolla

@icepuck,

one nice thing about diptrace is that you can import eagle libraries by exporting eagle libraries to scripts (SCR) then import them into diptrace. I believe they also have a parallax library available for download.